The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1887-03-26
rowed the 1000 to pay this $4,000.

was in favor Of paying even illegally Dor,
rowed money provided the county ever had
IL. But let them sue the county. That may
throw light on the whole subject
The minors question; The county pays
no interest on this money. 1t is deposited,
to be paid back when heirship is proved
Lewis was surprised at Gums speech;
He began by deuouncing reputation, yet he
made q reputation speech, if am able 10
understand a proposition in the English
language. He agreed with me that the
board couldn't borrow dollar without
vote of the people We can't be enforced to
pay it because it is illegal. Chicago and
other lawyers agree that such debt is lille.
gal and couldn't be collected. We have had
to borrow money at times every year and it
was always done by order of this board, AT
certain seasons we were out of money and all
these borrowing acts of the board werl lille
gal The fact that the Mendoza loan was not
paid when we agreed, was unknown to me
till informed by the treasurer. | didn't
think was obliged to examine the treasur
er's bank account nor his books, but took
his word when money was needed. Wood.
lock came to me; didn't know him person
ally. He said he had 81 400 and could
make it $1,000 told him the board
hadn't organized then. Didn't 60 with him
to the treasurer's office and did not see him
pay the money. supposed he renewed an
old note when it came to me. l have been
Inundated by the unfortunate condition of
the county. know 4 majority of the com.
mittee were misled by the treasurer's state.
ment and told them they were wrong
Asked them to 20 with me and examine the
DO I
Jan. 4th. But it does not make any differ
ence whether a renewal the note was, or a
new note. 1t cuts no figure; it should be
paid
Answer to Reed; 81 did not state in the
minority report that some Of these notes
were paid. My report was correct, except
Mr.. Donahue's was wrong being So 900 in.
stead Of 81 900, and the 81 900 Moore note
was not known to me then. | am net par
ticular about being returned here, but am
not afraid Of my record. don't know
Woodlock am under no obligation to him.
but understood | was pledging the honor
of this county. Read the record of board on
subject. | was to unite with the treasurer
in borrowing money!
Norton: You were to act only so far as
necessary"
Lewis q" You insist | should have Ques.
toned the treasurer or his duputy? The
committee have been running down this
bank account for months. appreciate their
difficulty. have been borrowing money, i.
is said, and maligned for borrowing money
when we had 100000 to our credit. If |
did, it was on the treasurer's representation
l only signed notes when he said the COM
mite needed money"
Fischer: we are a little premature this
afternoon. We have a committee invesiga
ting this subject and they have not reported,
and yet We are discussing what we don't
no anything about. Fischer moved to refer
to committee on Investigation
Norton said "this committee has enough
on its hands. If you force this upon us we
sha'nt be able to report this session.
Fischer: Havn't you considered these
questions in your committee?
Norton: No. don't think it is n part of
our work. don't purpose repudiating any
debt the county has created and for which
it has had value. | am not more suspicious
than Mr.. Lewis, but last winter found rea
son enough to be 30. To look over all the
books to settle the questions would require |
much time, besides from the books so far as
we have gone, it is impossible to determine
what the county owes. The difficulty between
the chairman and his commtte is that they
were both misled by the treasurer, who gave
each different statement. The Moore note
is an individual transaction, though the
money never got into the treasury. The
minor heir fund will take care of itself; 49,,
900 of this fund has already lapsed to the
county by Limitation of law
! IGreen thought con good authority" the
board can act more intelligenty after the
Investigation committees report tomorrow
morning. Adjourned.